Portland Protesters Demand Apple Restore ICE-Tracking App

Demonstrators in downtown Portland gathered on December 2, 2023, urging Apple Inc. to reinstate the ICEBlock application, which enables users to report sightings of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The protest took place outside the Apple store located at 450 S.W. Yamhill St., where over 30 participants displayed signs and sang modified holiday carols criticizing Apple’s Chief Executive Officer, Tim Cook.

The ICEBlock app, which had amassed over 1 million users, was removed from the Apple App Store in October 2023 after Pam Bondi, the U.S. Attorney General, expressed concerns that the app compromised the safety of federal officers by allowing individuals to track their activities. This prompted a lawsuit filed by ICEBlock’s developer, claiming that the Trump administration had infringed upon their free speech rights. The lawsuit alleges that Bondi leveraged “state power” to pressure Apple into the app’s removal.

Calls for Action and Community Response

The protest was organized by Julia VanDerslice, a veterinarian by profession, who stated that demonstrators plan to continue their weekly protests until Christmas. VanDerslice emphasized the belief that the removal of the app represents a violation of their First Amendment rights, particularly regarding the ability to report and track activities deemed inappropriate within their community.

“Not being able to report and track things that we don’t think are right in our community feels like a violation of our rights,” VanDerslice said. The protesters utilized songbooklets, and some even brought iPads to aid in their performance of parodies aimed at Apple’s leadership.

The ongoing demonstrations reflect a broader concern among community members regarding immigration enforcement practices and the tools that facilitate public awareness of these activities. Participants are determined to hold Apple accountable for its decisions and to advocate for the reinstatement of the app that many believe plays a critical role in community safety.

As the protests continue, the intersection of technology, corporate responsibility, and civil rights remains a focal point of debate in Portland and beyond.